One reader commented some time back that he like to play Leisureguy Bingo, by trying to predict the day’s selection of shaving products and tools. Today’s soap is, I imagine, quite predictable, but perhaps not so much the brush, my Whipped Dog silvertip (actually badger, not dog — I’ve never seen a dog brush, but I do have a goat-badger combo on the way). The lather was uncommonly good in consistency, and the pumpkin-pie fragrance was pleasant on a cold, dark, and rainy morning.
Three passes with Above the Tie’s R razor (later named the R1 after the R2 arrived) left my face exceptionally smoother — doubtless the lather contributed, as did Grooming Dept Moisturizing Pre-Shave. The razor, though, seemed particularly pleasant today, and I’m sure a good part of that is due to the prep.
It’s interesting how we mistakenly attribute cause to one thing when it rightly resides in another. I recall when my dryer was simply not getting the clothes dry, and when the repairman showed up and I pointed to the dryer, he looked briefly at it and then turned to the washer. He explained that almost always when the dryer is not drying the clothes completely, it’s the washer at fault, typically because belt wear has reduced the spin cycle’s efficacy. He fixed the washer, and the dryer then worked fine. It’s a variant of the Kansas City shuffle. (In the movie Lucky Number Slevin, Mr. Goodkat (Bruce Willis) says, “A Kansas City Shuffle is when everybody looks right, you go left.”)
As splash of Speick — “When in doubt, go for Speick” — ended the shave on a very nice note.
For those following the knife-sharpening saga, the cut in my thumb is now totally sealed and robust, though it still feels slightly sensitive (albeit not painful) if I press directly on the cut. And I’ll have a good occasion to use my newly sharpened knives: yesterday I bought the largest fresh bamboo shoot I’ve ever seen — 3.9 lbs — and I’ll be slicing it up to cook today. I thought of a good recipe. I’ll look around a little at other bamboo shoot recipes, but my recipe focuses on using things I have on hand, like a trio of majestic leeks I bought (though one I plan to ferment: leek sauerkraut, with a sprig of fresh tarragon if this rain lets up and I can go to the store). Check back for a later post for the details.\
And a happy US Thanksgiving to you all.